11-oxygenated-6-methyl-17alpha-hydroxy-4-pregnene-3, 20-diones



United States Patent 1 l-OXYGENATED-G-METHYL-17a-HYDROXY-4- PREGNENE-3,20-DIONES Frank H. Lincoln, .lr., Kalamazoo, and William P. Schneider and George B. Spero, Kalamazoo Township, Kalamazoo County, Mich., assignors to The Upgonn Company, Kalamazoo, Mich., a corporation of Michigan No Drawing. Application November 23, 1956 Serial No. 623,790

5 Claims. (Cl; 260-39745) The present invention relates to steroid compounds and is more particularly concerned with fi-methyl-llfi;

17a dihydroxy-4-pregnene-3,20-dione, 6-methyl-l7a-hydroxy-4-pregnene-3,l1,20-trione, the intermediate 21-icdo substituted 6-methyl-1lfi,l7ot-dihydroxy-4-pregnene-3,20- dione, and a process for the production thereof.

The new compounds and the process of the present invention are illustratively represented by the following formulae:

CHzOH onzosoln C=O =0 |---OH '----0H 2,867,633 Patented Jan. 6, 1959 wherein R is'an organic radical such as methyl, ethyl, phenyl, tolyl, naphthyl, or the like, with methyl preferred.

The process of the present invention comprises treating 6-methyl-1 l3,1704,21-trihydroxy-4-pregnene-3,ZO-dione (6-methylhydrocortisone) (I) with an organic sulfonyl halide such as methanesulfonyl chloride, toluenesulfonyl chloride, toluenesulfonyl bromide, benzenesulfonyl chloride, naphthylsulfonyl chloride, or the like, to obtain the corresponding ester (II), a 2l-alkylor arylsulfonate of 6-methyl-llfi,l70,2l-trihydroxy-4-pregnene 3,20 dione; treating the thus produced 2l-alkylor arylsulfonate of 6-methyl-llB,17 x,2l-trihydroxy 4 pregnene-3,20-dione with sodium iodide in acetone solution to obtain 6-methyl-11/3,17a-dihydroxy 21 iodo-4-pregnene-3,20 dione (III); treating the thus obtained 6-methyl-l1fl,17a-dihydroxy-Zl-iodo-4-pregnene-3,ZO-dione with a reducing agent such as zinc dust, sodium thiosulfate, sodium bisulfite, potassium bisulfite, or the like, in an aqueous organic solvent mixture to obtain 6-methyl-1lB,17ot-dihydroXy-4-pregnene-3,ZO-dione (IV) and if desired oxidizing the thus obtained 6-methyl-llB,17a-dihydroxy- 4-pregnene-3,20-dione with an oxidant such as chromic anhydride, N-bromoacetamide, N-bromosuccinimide, or the like, to give 6-methyl-17a-hydroxy-4-pregnene-3,11, 20-trione (V).

It is an object of the instant invention to provide 6 methyl 11,8,17a dihydroXy-4-pregnene-3,20-dione, 6-methyl-17a-hydroxy-4-pregnene-3,11,20-trione, and the intermediate, 6-methyl-1 l,8,17u-dihydroxy-2 l-iodo-4-pregnene-3,20-dione and in particular the highly active 60:- epimers, 6a-methyl-1l 3,17x dihydroxy-4-pregnene-3,20- dione and Gwmethyl-I7a-hydroxy-4-pregnene-3,11,20- trione. It is another object of the instant invention to provide a process for the preparation of 6-methyl-l1B,- 17a-dihydroXy-4-pregnene-3,20-dione, its 21-iodo derivative and 6-methyl-l7a-hydroxy-4-pregnene-3,11,20-trione. Other objects of this invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains.

The novel 6 methyl l1,8,17u-dihydroxy-4-pregnene- 3,20-dione and the 6-methyl-l7a-hydroxy-4-pregnene- 3,11,20-trione especially in their 6a-epimeric form possess a high order of physiological activity, and possess activity spectra different from the adrenocortical hormones found in nature such as hydrocortisone and cortisone, especially in their effect on mineral and water metabolism. These compounds cause a loss of salt and water which makes them especially valuable in the management of chronic congestive heart failure and in the treatment of cirrhosis of the liver, the nephrotic syndrome and the treatment of eclampsia and preeclampsia. The novel synthetic corticosteroid hormones of the present invention possess also anti-inflammatory, glucocorticoid, anesthetic, uterine, ovarial and adrenal growth-depressional, and adrenal corticoid activity. The anti-inflammatory activity is notable in all the steroids of the present invention.

The novel 6a-methyl-11 3,l7a-dihydroxy-4-pregnene- 3,20-dione and 6zx-methyl-l7u-hydroxy-4-pregnene-3,11, 20-trione are useful in oral, parenteral and topical compositions. In oral compositions the material may be given as tablets illustratively using either polyethylene glycol 4000 or 6000 as a carrier, or lactose and/or sucrose as a diluent. The novel 6u-methy1-115,17 -dihydroxy-4-pregnene-3,ZO-dione and 6a-methyl-l7a-hydroxy .4-pregnene-3,11,20-trione are useful for topical applica- 6a -methyl-l1B,l7a-dihydroxy-4-pregnene-3,20- dione tion as ointments, lotions, jellies, creams, suppositories, bougies,. aqueous suspensions etc. Examplesofespe-- cially advantageous topical preparations of suitable compositions are given below. .While the examples below are to the 6a-methyl-11 3,17a-dihydroxy-4-pregnene-3,20- dione and 6a-methyl-l7a-hydroxy-4-pregnene 3,11,20- trione, equivalent amounts of the 6B-epimers and of other 6-lower-alkyl and phenyl homologues of the compound of this invention are substitutable therein.

A suitable dermatological and ophthalmic ointment has the-following composition: l

. Pounds. Wool fat, USP 100 Mineral oil, USP 125* (micronized) 10 White petrolatum, USR 500 Incorporation of an antibiotic in the. ointment, especially neomycin sulfate, hastherapeutic advantageseach active ingredient potentiating-and supplementing the. use-- ful properties of. the other. Such. an ointment is as In place of, or in addition to, neo-mycin sulfate,.other antibiotics such as bacitracin, circulin, polymyxin B sulfate, gramicidin, streptomycin sulfate, dihydrostreptomycin sulfate, oxytetracycline, chlorotetracycline, tetra cyline, chloramphenicol and the sulfonamides can be-used in conjunction with the steroids of the present'inventionv in preparations such: asthe above ointments.

. These noveli 6 methylsteroid compounds. having, a strong salt-losing property are. also suitable, in, compositions with other steroids such as cortisone and hydrocortisone to counterbalance the salt-retaining activity of hydrocortisone and cortisone.

The compounds of the instant invention, 6 methyl 11B,17a-dihydroxy-4-pregnene-3,2'0-dione and the ll.-keto analogues thereof are'also useful as starting materials: for the preparation of other physiologically important compounds. For example, the Qua-halo analogues, especially 6a-methyl-9a-fluoro-l 1p ,17 t-dihydroxy-4pregnene- 3,20-dione and 6ix-methyl-9ot-fiuoro-l7ct-hydroxy-4-pregnene 3,11,201- trione can be prepared as shown in Examples 11 and 12. The halo derivatives, 60L-IT1ElZhY1-9otfluoro-l118,17a-dihydroxy-4-pregnene-3.,20-dione and 6m methyl 9a fluoro 17a hydroxy 4. pregnene: 3, l1,20-trione are compo-undshaving glucocorticoid and. anti-inflammatory activity and may be used instead of. or with 6st methyl 115,176: dihydroxy 4 pregnen e-. 3,20 dione and 6e: methyl-l7a-hydroxy-4-pregnen'e- 3,11,20-trione in the above. pharmaceutical compositions.

The starting, compounds of the instantv invention are 6a-methylhydrocortisone and. 6/'8.-methylhydroc ortisone orv otherv 6 alkylhydrocortison'es prepared as showninPrepa rations 1 through 9. V

In carrying out the process. of the instant invention, 6- methylhydrocortisone is treated with an acid halide of an, organic sulfonic acid such as methanesulfonic acid, ethanesulfon'ic acid, propanesulfonic acid, benzenesulfonic acid, p-toluenesulfonic acid, at or ,B-naphthanesulfoni'c acid, or the like, with methanesulfonic acid halides es.- pecially methanesulfonyl chloride preferred. In the preferred embodiment of the instant invention the steroid. is usually reacted with the alkylor arylsulfo-nyl halide in solution in a solvent such as' pyridine, benzene, toluene, or the like at atemperature: between minus ten and plus sixty' degrees vCentigrade, providing. that at the lower mini-- perature the solvent has not solidified. Thus for pyridine,

dioxane, toluene, orthe like, temperatures around zero to ten degrees can be used while for benzene only temperatures above five degrees centigrade are suitable on account of the latters relatively high melting point. The time of reaction is usually between thirty minutes and six or eight hours, after which the product, 6-methyll1B,17a,21 trihydroxy 4 pregnene 3,20 dione 21- alkylor arylsulfonate is recovered in conventional man'- ner, for example, by evaporating the solvent until a dry residue is obtained or by extracting the material from an aqueous solution. For extraction, solvents such as methylene. chloride, chloroform, carbon tetrachloride,'

benzene, ether, toluene, or the like may be used. Removing the extraction solvent by distillation leaves the crude 6 methyl llfl,17a,2l trihydroxy 4 pregnene- 3,20-dione 21-a1kylor arylsulfonate.

For the. purpose. of' producing the final product, it is unnecessary to purify the thus obtained arylor alkylsulfonate, and the crude. steroid. sulfonate ester can be used directlyfor'theproductio-n of the subsequent intermediate 6 methyl 115,170; dihydroxy 21 iodo 4- pregnene-3,20-dione..

The 21-iodo compound is prepared by reacting the alkylor arylsulfonate of: 11p,170:,2l-trihydroxy-4-pregnene-3,20-dione with sodium. or potassium iodide in an alkanone solution, such as'inacetone. A molar excess ofsodium. iodide. (threeto twenty moles of. sodium iodide per; mole of steroid) is generally preferred for this reaction. The reaction. mixture. containing 6-methyl; 1119;170:311. trihydroxy 4 pregnene 3,20 dione 21- alkyle or arylsul fonate. and sodium. iodide in acetone is.

reduced with zinc dust in acetic acid by slurrying the crude iodo compound in a solvent such as acetic acid and adding an excess of zinc dust under stirring. The zinc dust is usually used in excess of five to ten times or more mole equivalents of zinc to each mole equivalent of 6- methyl 11fl,17oc dihydroxy 21 iodo 4 pregnene- 3,20-dione. The time of reaction is not critical and is generally between a few minutes and. one to two hours.

, Excess of zinc is removed at the end of'the reaction by filtration, the filtrate neutralized and the. compound 6.-

methyl 11 3,17 dihydroxy 4 pregnene 3,20 dione obtained by conventional means such as recrystallization of the compound or extraction. and thereafter purification of the compound by recrystallization or chromatography as deemed necessary. If sodium bisulfite or sodium thiosulfate is used for the dehalogenation of the 2l-iodo steroid, the reaction is generally carried out at room temperature in aqueous acetic acid solution under continuous stirring.

The oxidation of 6'-methyl-llB,l7a-dihydroxy-4-pregnene-3,20-dione is generally carried out in conventional manner such as, for example, oxidizing the 6-methyl- 11 8,1711 dihydroxy 4- pregnen'e 3,20 dione in acetic acid solution with chromic anhydride using a calculated amount of chromic anhydride or a slight excess such as from ten to thirty percent excessof the calculated amount, or oxidizing the 6-methyl-11B,17ct-dihydroxy-4-pregnene- 3,20-dione with a halo amide or imide of an acid, e. g., N-bromoacetamide, N-chlorosuc'cinimide, or N-bromosuccinimide, in pyridine, dioxane, or other solvent solutions. After termination of the oxidation reaction, the

In the preferred embodimentv of the invention the 21-iodo compound is oxidant is generally destroyed such as by addition of methyl alcohol, ethyl alcohol for the chromic acid oxidant or bisulfite for either chromic acid, N-bromoacetamide, N-bromosuccinimide and other N-halo acyl amides and imides. Thereafter, the product 6-methyl-17othydroxy-4-pregnene-3,11,20-trione is isolated by conventional means such as extraction with Water-immiscible solvents, for example, methylene chloride, ethylene chloride, chloroform, carbon tetrachloride, ether, benzene, toluene, or the like, or chromatography if deemed necessary.

The following preparations and examples are illustrative of the process and products of the present invention, but are not to be construed as limiting.

PREPARATION 1 5 (1,6 a-oxido-I 1B,] 7a,21-trihydroxyallopregnane-3,20- dione 3,20-bis-(ethylene ketal) To a solution of 0.901 gram of 11/9, 170:, 21-trihydroxy- 5-pregnene-3,20-dione 3,20-bis-(ethylene ketal) in eighteen milliliters of chloroform was added a solution of 331 milligrams of perbenzoic acid in 5.19 milliliters of chloroform. The resulting solution was allowed to stand in the refrigerator (ca. four degrees centigrade) for a period of 24 hours and thereupon at room temperature for an additional period of 72 hours. The reaction solution was then washed with five percent sodium bicarbonate solution and water, dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and evaporated to dryness to give 1.031 grams of crude solid. Recrystallization from acetone gave 431 milligrams of material of melting point 230 to 247 degrees centigrade. The mother liquor, after evaporation to dryness, was dissolved in methylene chloride and chromatographed over 25 grams of acid washed alumina. The column was developed with three fractions each of methylene chloride plus five, ten, fifteen, twenty, 25 and fifty percent acetone, acetone, and acetone plus five percent methanol. The acetone plus five percent methanol eluate gave an additional 279 milligrams of the high melting product. The high melting material, 5a,6aoxido 11B,17a,21 trihydroxyallopregnane-3,20-dione 3, 20-bis-(ethylene ketal) was three times recrystallized from acetone and methanol to give a pure product of melting point 263 to 268 degrees centigrade. Other eluate fractions of lower melting point contained the 518,6;8-isomer thereof.

PREPARATION 2 5 a,6a-xido-1 70:,21-dihydr0xypregnane-3J1,20- trione 3,20-bis-(1,2-pr0pylene ketal) To a solution of one gram of 17u,21-dihydroxy-5- pregnene 3,11,20-trione 3,20 bis-(1,2-propylene ketal) [cortisone 3,20-bis-(1,2-propylene ketal)] in chloroform was added a solution of perbenzoic acid in chloroform and the resulting solution allowed to stand in a refrigerator and then at room temperature, following the procedure of Preparation 1. The reaction solution was washed, dried, and evaporated as in Preparation 1. Recrystallization from acetone followed by fractionation of the mother liquor on a column of acid washed alumina, using the technique of Preparation 1 yielded 50:, 6oc-OX1Cl0-l7oc,2ldihydroxyallopregnane-3,11,20-trione 3,20 bis-(1,2-propylene ketal) and the 55,6/3-oxido isomer.

Using as starting material the more commonly available cortisone 3,20-bis-(ethylene ketal) gives the a,6 xoxide-17x31-clihydroxyallopregnane-3,1l-20-trione 3,20- bis-(ethylene ketal).

In the same manner as shown in Preparations 1 and 2, 5(x,60c oxido-11,8,17,21 trihydroxyallopregnane 3,20- dione 3,20-bis-(alkylene ketals) and 5a,6a-OXiClO-17oc,2ldihydroxyallopregnane-3,11,20 trione 3,20-bis-(alkylene ketals) can be prepared by reacting cortisone and hydro- 6 cortisone diketal wherein the ketal group has been formed by reacting the steroid 3,20-dione with ethylene, propylene, 1,2-, 1,3-, or 2,3-butylene glycol or pentane, hexane, heptane, or octane-diols wherein the alcohol groups are in vicinal positions such as 1,2, 2,3, 3,4, or the like, or separated by one carbon atom such as 1,3, 2,4, 3,5, and the like, with an organic peracid such as performic, peracetic, perbenzoic, monoperphthalic acid, or the like. For the purpose of this invention, starting compounds having the ethylene ketal groups are preferred, since these ketals are generally more easily prepared in high yield than ketals produced by the reaction of the 3,20-diketo compounds with higher alkane-diols.

PREPARATION 3 5 a,1 J 8,1 7 a,21 -tetmhydroxy-6fl-methylall0pregnane-3,20-

' dione 3,20-bis-(ethylene ketal) A solution of 1.115 grams of 50,6ot-OX1ClO-11B,l7u,2l trihydroxyallopregnane 3,20 dione 3,20 bis-(ethylene ketal) in 165 milliliters of tetrahydrofuran (the tetrahydrofuran being dried through distillation over lithium aluminum hydride) was added dropwse to a solution of milliliters of methyl magnesium bromide in ether (the magnesium bromide having a four molar concentration). To this mixture was added 575 milliliters of benzene and the reaction mixture was thereupon allowed to stir and reflux for 26 hours. After cooling, the reaction mixture was poured into 700 milliliters of iced, saturated ammonium chloride solution, stirred for a period of thirty minutes, and the benzene layer separated from the aqueous layer. The aqueous phase was extracted with three ZOO-milliliter portions of ethyl acetate and the extracts added to the benzene layer. The combined benzene-ethyl acetate solution was thereupon washed with Water, dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and evaporated to dryness to give 1.314 grams of crude solid. Trituration of this material with ether left 1.064 grams of crystalline product of melting point 221 to 230 degrees. Recrystallization of this material gave Soc, 115, 1711,21 tetrahydroxy 6fl-methylallopregnane-3,ZO-dione 3,20-bis-(ethylene ketal) of melting point 228 to 233 degrees and rotation [al minus eleven degrees in chloroform.

Analysis.-Calcd. for C H O C, 64.70; H, 8.77. Found: C, 64.29; H, 8.69.

PREPARATION 4 5 11,1 1,8,17a,21-tetrahydroxy-6 8-ethylallop'regnane-3,20- dione 3,20-bis- (ethylene ketal) In the same manner as shown in Preparation 3, 5u,6aoxido 11B,17a,21 trihydroxyallopregnane-3,ZO-dione' 3, 20-bis-(ethylene ketal), was reacted with ethyl magnesium bromide in ether solution to give the corresponding 5a,11fl,17a,21 tetrahydroxy-6B-ethylallopregnane-3, ZO-dione 3,20-bis-(ethylene ketal).

In the same manner as shown in Preparations 3 and 4, other 504,11p,17a,21-tetrahydroxy-fl-alkylallopregnane-3,20-dione 3,20-bis-(ethylene ketals) and 5a,17a,21- trihydroxy-6fl-alkylallopregnane-3,11,20-trione 3,20-bis- (ethylene ketals) are prepared by reacting the corresponding 5u,6 x-oxido-17a,21-dihydroxyallopregnane-3,ZO-dione 3,20-bis-(ethylene ketal) oxygenated in the ll-position with a metal alkyl or metal aryl more specifically an alkyl metal halide such as a Grignard reagent, for example, methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl, and phenyl magnesium bromides and iodides or cadmium alkyl and calcium alkyl and phenyl bromides or iodides. Representative 6B-alkylated allopregnanes thus prepared include: 5 (1,1 1 ,8,17a,2 l-tetrahydroxy-6,8-propylallopregnane 3,26 dione 3,20 bis (ethylene ketal),

7 droxy-6 3-isobutylallopregnane-3,20-dione 3,20-bis-(ethy-lene ketal), 50:,1-1/3,17a,21-tetrahydroxy-6/3-pentylallopregnane-3,2'0-dione 3,20-bis-(ethylene ketal), 511,116,- 17u,21. tetrahydroxy 6,8- hexylallopregnane 3,20- dione 3,20-bis-(ethylene ketal), 50,11B,17a,21-tetrahydroxy- 6/3-phenylallopregnane-3,20-dione 3,20-bis-(ethylene ketal); 5a,17oc,2l trihydroxy 6B methylallopregnane- 3,11,20-trione, 3,20-bis-(ethylene. ketal), 5a,17a,21'-trihydroxy- 65- ethyl'allopregnane- 3,11,20- trione 3,20-bis- (ethylene ketal), 5a,17a,21-trihydroxy-6fl-propylallopregnane- 3,11,20 trione 3,20 bis (ethylene ketal) 5a,17a,21- trihydroxy- 6,3- isopropylallopregnane- 3,11,20- trione 3,20-bis-(ethylene ketal), 5a,l7a,2l -trihydroxy- 6 B- butylallopregnane- 3,11,20- trione 3,20-bis- (ethylene ketal), 5oz,l7a,2l trihydroxy 6,6 pentylallopregnane- 3,11,20-trine 3,20-bis-(ethylene ketal), a,17a,21-trihydroxy-6H-hexylallopregnane,l1',20 trione 3,20-bis(ethylene ketal), 52x,1 7a,2I-trihydroxy-6(3-phenylallopregname-3,11,20-trione 3,20-bis-(ethylene ketal), and the like.

PREPARATION 5 5a,] 1 5,1 711,21-tetrahydroxy+6fi methylallopregnane- 3,20-di0ne A solution was prepared containing 468 milligrams of c,1 1,8,17o,21- tetrahydroxy-6flmethylallopregnane- 3-,20-dione 3,20-bis-(ethylene ketal), 38 milliliters of methanol and 7.7 milliliters of 2N sulfuric acid. This solution was refluxed for a period of thirty minutes, then neutralized with five percent dilute sodium bicar bonate solution (about 100 milliliters) and concentrated under reduced pressure at degrees centigrade to about 35- milliliters of volume. A. product crystallized upon. cooling and was recovered by filtration. was} recrystallized from acetone Skellysolve B-- hexanes to give an analytical pure sample of 5a,11,8,17a,21-tetra hydroxy-6B-rnethylallopregnane-3,ZO-dione of melting point 240 to 244 (decomposition) and rotation [aJ plus forty degrees in dioxane.

Analysis.-Calcd. for C H O C, 66.98; H, 8169. Found: C, 66.84; H, 8.86.

PREPARATION 6 5 0;,11 5,1 :,21-tetmhydroxyfidethylallopregnarie- 3 ,2 O-d ione In the same manner as shown in Example 5, 5a,1 1B,17a,21- tetrahydroxy- 6,8- ethylallopregnane- 3,20- dione, 3,20-bis-(ethylene ketal) was hydrolyzed with dilute sulfuric acid in ethanol solution to give Sa,11;3,17a,21-tetrahydi'oxy- 613- ethylallopregnane- 3,20- dione.

In the same manner as shown in Preparations 5 and 6', inclusive, hydrolysis of the 65-alkylallopregnane diketals, such. as the 5u,11 8,17a,21-tetrahydroXy-6fl-allopregnane-3,20- dione 3,20-bis- (ethylene ketal), and 504,17on,21 trihydroxy 6B alkylallopregnane 3,11,20 trione 3,20-bis-(ethylene ketal) as well as those 6B- alkylallopregnane-3,20-dione 3,20-bis-(ketals) wherein the' ketal group is other than ethylene can be hydrolyzed to give the corresponding 5a,17ot,21-trihydroxy- 6,8-alkylallopregnane-3,20-diones oxygenated in the 11- positio-n, such as for example, 5u,11,8,17a,21-tetrahydroxy-6B-propylallopregnane-3,20-dione, 5a,11fl,17u,2ltetrahydroXy-6flbutylallopregnane- 3,20-dio-ne; 511,1 1,8,- l7a,21- tetrahydroxy-6B- isobutylallopregnane-3,20- dione, 511,11,8,17a,21-tetrahy.droxy- 6B- pentylallopregnane- 3,20- dione, 5a,].lfi,l7ot,21 tetrahydroxy 6e hexylallopregnane-3,20-dione, 5a,11,8,17a,21-tetrahydroxy-6fi-phenylall'opregnane-3,20-dione, 5a,17 2l-trihydroxy-Gfl-rriethylallopregnane-3,11,20-trione, 5a,17a,21-trihydroxy-6;8- ethylallopregnane-3 ,1 1,20-trione, 5a,17a,21-trihy.droxy- 65'- propylallopregnane- 3,11,20- trione, 5u,17a,21- trihydroxy-6e-isopropylallopregnaner3,1.1,20-trione, 5u,17u

This product.

8 21-trihydroxy-6fl-butylallopregnane-3 ,1 1,20-trione, 170;,21- trihydroxy-Gfihexylallopregnane- 3,11,20- trione, 501,17 0;,21- trihydroxy-6y8- pentylallopregnane- 3,11,20-tr-ione, 5u,17a,21-trihydroxy 6fl-phenylallopregnane-3,11,20- trione, and the like, and including those 6-alkylallopregnanes having ketal groups in positions 3 and 20 such as exemplified in Preparation 2.

PREPARATIQN 7 dnt-methylh ydrocortisone A stream of nitrogen was bubbled through a solution of 429 milligrams of 5a,11,8,17-a,21-tetrahydroxy-6B- methylallopregnane-3g20 dione,. contained in milliliters of denaturedv absolute alcohol, for a period of ten minutes. To this solution was added 4.3 milliliters of 0.1 normal sodium hydroxide solution which had likewise been treated with nitrogen. The mixture was allowed to stand in a nitrogen atmosphere for a period of eighteen hours and thereupon acidified with acidic acid,

.and. concentrated. under reduced, pressure at 55 degrees countercurrent procedures and other means known in the art.

PREPARATION 8 fifl-methylhydrocortisone A solution was'prepared containing 27.5 grams of 5a, 11/8,17a,21 tetrahydr'oxy-6'B-methylallopregnane-3,20-dione in 6500 milliliters of ethanol denatured with methanol. The solution was freed of air oxygen by bubbling oxygen-free nitrogen through it for a period of fifteen minutes. To this solution was added a similarly air oxygen-free prepared solution of one-tenth normal sodium hydroxide (235 milliliters). The solution was allowed to stand at room temperature (about 22 to 24 degrees centigrade) in an inert nitrogen atmosphere for a period of twenty hours and was then acidified with fourteen milliliters of acetic acid. The thus obtained acid solution was evaporated at about fifty to sixty degrees centigrade' invacuo, the thus produced residue dissolved in 200 milliliters of ethyl acetate and 200 milliliters of water, the water layer separated from the organic layer and discarded, the organic layer washed with 3.50'milliliters of fivepercent: aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution, then three times with water and thereupon dried over anhydrous sodium. sulfate and concentrated. to a.

volume of 180 milliliters. After cooling the 180 milliliters of solution in a refrigerator (about five degrees centigrade), the solutionv wasfiltered giving 119 grams of materiaL. This material;wasredissolvedin 5.00 milliliters of ethyl acetate, the ethyl acetate solution. was concentrated to ISO-milliliters, refrigerated as before togive 6.15 grams of crude 6fl-methylhydrocortisone of melting point 220-223.

Recrystallization of the crude 6fi-methylhydrocortisone three more times from ethyl acetate gave an analytical sample of 6/3-methylhydrocortisone with melting point 223 to 227 degrees centigrade, rotation [@1 plus degrees in acetone;

as? ethanol mi ultraviolet. adsorption 243 mu PREPARATION 9 6u-ethylhydr0c0rtis0ne I in the same manner as shown in Preparation 7, a,11;8, 17u,21-tetrahydroxy-6fi-ethylallopregnane-3,20-dione Was treated with a solution of potassium hydroxide in methanol to give at room temperature 6a-ethylhydrocortisone of melting point 223-226 degrees centigrade and xii? 243 e=14,525.

In the same manner dehydrating with an alkali metal hydroxide in alcoholic solution other 11-oxygenated-5u, 17a,21 trihydroxy-6B-alkylallopregnane-3,20-diones produced the corresponding 1l-oxygenated-6a-alkyl-17m,21- dihydroxy 4 pregnene-3,20-diones such as 6u-propylhydrocortisone, 6a-butylhydrocortisone, a-isobutylhydrocortisone, 6a -pentylhydrocortisone, 6u-hexylhydrocortisone, 6u-phenylhydrocortisone, 6oz-methylhydrocortisone of melting point 212.5 to 215 degrees centigrade, 6a-ethylcortisone, 6a-propylcortisone, 6a-isopropylcortisone, 6abutylcortisone, 6a-pentylcortisone, 6a-hexylcortisone, 60cphenylcortisone, and the like.

EXAMPLE 1 6u-methyl-1[[3,]711,21-trihydr0xy-4-pregnene 3,20 dione 21 -methanesulf0nate (6-methylhydrocortisone ZI-methanesulfonate) A solution was prepared containing one gram (2.65 millimoles) of 6a-methylhydrocortisone in seven milliliters of pyridine. This solution was cooled to zero degrees centigrade and treated with 0.3 milliliter of methanesulfonyl chloride. Thereafter the solution was allowed to stand at zero to five degrees centigrade for a period of two hours. The reaction mixture was then diluted with water and extracted with three 25-milliliter portions of methylene chloride. The extracts were combined, washed with cold dilute hydrochloric acid (until a pH of two to three was maintained in the aqueous layer), then washed again with cold sodium bicarbonate solution, water, and finally dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate. Evaporation of the methylene chloride extract at reduced pressure gave a white glassy product of 6u-methyl-11,8,17a,21-trihydroXy-4-pregnene-3,20-dione 21-methanesulfonate.

EXAMPLE 2 The crude methanesulfonate of Example 1 was dissolved in fifteen milliliters of acetone and treated with a solution of one gram of sodium iodide in ten milliliters of acetone. The mixture was heated under reflux with stirring for a period of fifteen minutes, the heat then reduced and the mixture concentrated to dryness at reduced pressure to give 6a-methyl-11/3,17a-dihydroxy-21- iodo-4-pregnene-3,20-dione.

EXAMPLE 3 6u-methyl-1 1 3,1 7a,-dihydroxy-4-pregnene-3,20-di0rie The crude 6oc-I116thYl-l 1 18,17a-dihydroxy-21iodo-4-pregnene-3,20-dione, as obtained in Example 2, was slurried with fifteen milliliters of acetic acid and stirred for a period of 45 minutes. Thereafter one gram of zinc dust was added and stirring continued for fifteen minutes. The excess zinc dust was removed by filtration, the filtrate was diluted with methylene chloride and washed with water and cold sodium bicarbonate solution until all acetic acid was neutralized. After drying over anhydrous sodium sulfate, the solution was chromatographed over 75 grams of Florisil anhydrous magnesium silicate taking fractions of 200 milliliters each as follows: fourteen fractions of acetone Skellysolve B containing ten percent acetone and one fraction of 100 percent acetone.

Fractions eight through thirteen, inclusive, were combined and evaporated to give 760 milligrams of crystals which after recrystallization from acetone-Skellysolve E hexanes yielded in two crops 650 milligrams of 6u-methyl- 11,8, 1 7a-dihydroxy-4-pregnene-3,20-dione of melting point 203-210 degrees centigrade. 4

Analysis.Calcd. for C H O C, 73.30; H, 8.95. Found: C, 73.19; H, 8.59.

EXAMPLE 4 6u-methyl-17a,-hydr0xy-4-pregnene-3,11,20-trione A mixture was prepared containing 0.5 gram of Gor methyl-11fi,17a-dihydroxy 4 pregnene-3,20-dione, 0.15 gram of chromic acid, ten milliliters of glacial acetic acid and one-half milliliter of water. This mixture was stirred and thereupon maintained for eight hours at room temperature. Thereafter the mixture was poured into fifty milliliters of ice water, neutralized by the addition of dilute sodium hydroxide and the thus obtained precipitate collected on a filter and recrystallized from ethyl acetate and Skellysolve B hexanes threetimes, to give 6a-methyl- 17m-hydroXy-4-pregnene-3 ,1 1,20-trione.

EXAMPLE 5 methyl-115,] 70:,21-trihydr0xy-4-pregnene-3,20-dione 21 toluenesulfonate (6o: ethylhya'rocortisonie 21 toluenesulfonate) In the same manner given in Example 1, 6a-ethylhydrocortisone, dissolved in pyridine, was treated with toluenesulfonyl chloride to give 6a-ethyl-l1,8,17a,21-trihydroXy- 4-pregnene-3,20-dione 21-t0luenesulfonate.

EXAMPLE 6 6a-ethyl-11pJ 7a-dihydr0xv-21-iodo-4-pregnene-3,20- dione In the same manner given in Example 2, heating 60cethyl-l1}8.1711.2l-trihvdroxV-4-pre nene 3,20 dion 21- toluenesulfonate with sodium iodide in acetone yielded 6a-ethyl-11;8,17a-dihydroxy-21-iodo 4 pregnene-3,20- dione.

I EXAMPLE 7 6a-ethyl-11BJ 7a-dihydroxy-4-pregnene-3,20-di0ne The 6u-ethyl-11p,17a-dihydroxy-21-iodo-4 pregnene- 3,20-dione was dissolved in a fifty percent aqueous acetic acid solution. Thereto was added an excess of sodium bisulfite and the mixture was stirred for an hour at room temperature. Thereafter the mixture was poured into excess of water and extracted with methylene chloride. The methylene chloride extracts were combined, washed with Water, bicarbonate, then water again, dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and evaporated to give crude 6a-ethyl-11B,17a-dihydroXy-4-pregnene-3,20- dione which was purified by recrystallization from acetone-Skellysolve B hexanes to give the pure Ga-ethyl- 1 1B,17a-dihydroxy-4-pregnene-3,20-dione.

EXAMPLE 8 6oc-ethyl-7a-hydroxy-4-pregnene-3,1 1,20-tri0ne To 200 milligrams of 6DC-ethy1-115,170CdihYdI0XYr-4' pregnene-3,20-dione in eight milliliters of methanol was added 0.2 milliliter of pyridine, 0.4 milliliter of water and milligrams of N-brornoacetamide. The reac: tion mixture was kept at room temperature for a period of twenty hours and then 25 milliliters of dilute sodium sulfite solution was added to destroy excess N-bromoacetamide. The mixture was thereupon concentrated under reduced pressure until copious crystallization occurred. The mixture was then cooled to zero degrees centigrade and kept at this temperature for a period of one hour, the crystals recovered by filtration, recrystalliz'ed from acetone-Skellysolve B-hexanes to yield pure 6a-ethyl 17a-hydroxy-4-pregnene-3,11,20-trione.

asemaa I 1 EXAMPLE 9 6a-methyl-17ot-hydraxy-4-pregnene-3J1,20-tfi0ne' In the same manner shown in Example 1, treating 600-.

methylcortisone with methanesulfonyl chloride'in pyridine solution yielded 6a-methyl-17a,21-dihydroxy-4-pregnene- 3,11,20-trione ZI-methanesulfonate; refluxing in the manner given in Example 2, 6a-me'thyl-17a,21-dihydroxy-4- pregnene-3,l1,20-trione. 21-methanesulfonate with potassium iodide in acetone yielded 6a-methyl-l7a-hydroxy- 2l-iodo-4-pregnene-3,l1,20-trione and reducing with zinc and acetic acid the thus obtained 6a-methyl-17a-hydroxy- 2'l--iodo-4-pregnene-3,11,20-trione as shown in Example 3 yielded 6a-methyl-17ot-hydroxy-4-pregnene-3,11,20-trione.

EXAMPLE 10 In the same manner shown in Example 1, treating other 60c-3lkYlhYdfOCOItiSOI16S and 6u-alkylcortisones with the chlorides or bromides of toluenesulfonic acid, methanesulfonic acid and other organic sulfonic acids, give the corresponding 2l-toluenesulfonates, the 2l-methane-- sulfonates, or the like, of the corresponding 6a-alkylhydrocortisone. and 6a-alkylcortisones wherein the alkyl group may be methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl, pentyl, hexyl, phenyl, or the like.

Treating the thus obtained 2l-toluenesulfonate, 21- methanesulfonate or other 21-alkylor arylsulfonates of 6ct-alkylhydrocortisone and 6a-alkylcortisone with sodium or potassium iodide in acetone at elevated temperature,

usually reflux temperature, yields the corresponding 21- iodo compound such as, for example, 6a-propyl-ll,8,17adihydroxy-2l-iodo-4-pregnene-3,20-dione, 6a isopropyll1p,17ot-dihydroxy-2l-iodo-4-pregnene-3,2O dione, 6abutyl-11B,17ot-dihydroxy-2l-iodo-4-pregnene-3,2O dione, 6a-isobutyl-llfi,l/a-dihydroxy-2l-iodo 4-pregnene 3,20- dione, 6a-pentyl-l-lfi,l7a dihydroxy-21-iodo-4-pregnene- 3,20-dione, 6a-phenyl-11 8,17a-dihydroxy-21-iodo-4-pregnene-3-,20-dione, 6ot-methyl-17tx hydroxy-21-i0do-4-pregnene-3,11,20 trione, 6a ethyl-17ot-hydroxy-21-iodo-4- pregnene-ll 1,20-trione, 6a-propyl-17ot-hydr-oxy-2 l-iodo- 4-pregnene-3,11,20-trione, 6a-isopropyl-17u-hyd-roxy-21- iodo-4-pregnene-3,1 1,20-trione, 6a-isobutyl-l7a-hydroxy- 2 l-iodo-4.-pregnene-3 ,1 1,20-trione, 6a-p6I1tYl-17a-hYdIOXY- 2l-iodo-4-pregnene-3-,1 1,20-trine, 6a-hexyl-17a-hydroxy- 2 l-iodo-4-pregnene-3 ,1 1,20-trione, 6a-phenyl-17a-hydroxy-2'l-iodo-4-pregnene-3,11,20-trione, and the like.

Instead of the 6ot-methylhydrocortisone, or cortisone, the (SB-epimer can be used in the above Examples 1 thru 10 and if the reaction conditions are kept near neutral, the 6 8-epimers, such as 6B-methyl-1 lB,17a-dihydroxy-4- pregnene-3,20-dione and 6,8-methyl-l7a-hydroxy-4-pregnene-3,l1,20-trione can be isolated from the reaction mixture. The thus-obtained ,B-epimers yield the 6aepimers by treatment with acid or bases in an organic solvent,,e. g., ethanol, at room temperature.

EXAMPLE 11 6a-methyl-9a-flu0r0-115,17a-dihydroxy-4-pregnene 3,20- dione A mixture of one gram of 6u-methyl-1lfi,17a-dihydroxy-4-pregnene-3,20-dione, 650 milligrams of N- bromoacetamide and six milliliters of pyridine were stirred in the dark for a period of thirty minutes. The mixture was cooled in an ice-water bath and a stream of sulfur dioxide was directed onto the surface of the stirred mixture until a negative potassium iodide-starch with water and then dried and recrystallized from a mix-- ture of acetone and Skellysolve B hexane hydrocarbons to give 6a-methyl-9ot-bromo-l113,17a-dihydroxy-4-pregnene-3,20-dione.

A mixture of 0.45 gram. of 6a-methyl-9a-bromo-llfi, 17a-dihydroxy-4-pregnene-3,20-dione, 0.45 gram of anhydrous potassium acetate and twenty milliliters of acetone was heated at its refluxing temperature for a period of five hours. and poured. into water and extracted with. methylene chloride. poured over a column of 25 grams of Florisil synthetic magnesium silicate. The column was developed with Skellysolve B hexane hydrocarbons containing increasing. portions of acetone. The Skellysolve B plus ten percent acetone eluate contained 6a-methyl-9(1l)-oxido-l7a-hydroxy-4-pregnene-3,ZO-dione.

-A solution of one gram of 6ot-methyl-9(l1')oxido-l7ahydroXy-4-pregnene-3,20-dione was dissolved in fifty mill.liters of methylene chloride and thereto was added five milliliters of 48 percent hydrofluoric acid and 0.5 milliliter of 71 percent perchloric acid. The mixture was stirred vigorously for six hours and then poured into an excess of cold aqueous five percent sodium bicarbonate solution. The methylene chloride layer was separated, dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and then poured thru a column of grams of Florisil synthetic magnesium silicate. The column was developed with Skellysolve B hexanes and acetone, the fractions containing ten percent acetone were recrystallized from acetone and Skellysolve B hexanes to give pure 6a-methyl-9afiuoro-l lfl,1 7a-dihydroxy-4-pregnene-3 ,20-dione.

Following the procedure described in Example 11, but substituting other 6a-alkyl-11'6,17adihydroxy4-pregnene- 3,20-diones for the 6a-methyl-ll5,l7a-dihydroxy-4-pregnene-3,20-dione wherein the alkyl radical is ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl, pentyl, hexyl, phenyl, or the like, results in the corresponding 6a-alkyl-9a-fiuoro-llfi, l7a-dihydroxy-4-pregnene-3,ZO-dione wherein the alkyl group will be ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl, pentyl, hexyl, phenyl, or the like.

EXAMPLE 12 6a-methyl-9a-flu0r0-I7a-hydroxy 4 pregnene-3,11,20- trione anhydride in acetic acid solutionlikein Example 4, other- 6ot-alkyl-9a-fluoro-1lp,17a-dihydroxy 4 pregame-3,20- dione results. in the COI'leSpOndlng-6OL-31kYl-9tZ-flllOIO-l7dhydroxy-4-pregnene-3,l1,20-trioneswherein the alkyl group is ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl, pentyl, hexyl, phenyl, or the like.

The present application is a continuation-impart of application Serial No. 608,661, filed September 10, 1 956, now abandoned.

It is to be understood that the invent-ion is not to be limited. tothe exact details'of operation or exact compounds shown and described, as obvious modifications The mixture was then cooled The methylene chloride extract was dried and.

and equivalents will be apparent to one skilled in the art References Cited in the file of this patent and the invention is therefore to be limited only by the UNITED STATES PATENTS scope of the appended clalms.

We claim: 2,684,968 Bergstrom July 27, 1954 1. A compound selected from the group consisting of 5 2,752,369 Holysz June 26, 1956 6-methyl-11 8,17a-dihydroxy-4-pregnene-3,20-dione and 2,767,199 Djerassi Oct. 16, 1956 6-methyl-17a-hydroxy-4-pregnene-3 ,1 1,20-trione.

2. 6-methy1-11,8,17a-dihydroxy-4-pregnene-3,20-dione. OTHER REFERENCES 3. 6a-methy1-11,6,17a-dihydroxy 4 pregnene-3,20- Tannhauser: JACS, vol. 78, pages 2658-9, June 5,

dione. 10 1956.

4. 6-methyl-17u-hydroxy-4-pregnene-3,l1,20-trione. Fieser and Fieser: National Products Related to 5. 6a-methyl-17a-hydroxy-4-pregnene-3,l1,20-trione. Phenanthrenc, third edition, 1949, page 348.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Certificate of Correction Patent No. 2,867,633 J anuary 6, 1959 Frank H. Lincoln, Jr., et a1. It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction and that the said Letters Patent should read as corrected below. Y

Column 1, line 18 for icdo read -iodo-; column 3, lines 35 and 36, for tetracyline read tetracycline; column 6, line 23, for dropwse read dropwise; column 9, line 46, in the heading, for 2210010 read --z'0d0--; column 10, line 60, in the heading, for -7aread -17a--; column 11, line 42 should appear as shown below instead of as in the patent iodo-4-pregnene-3,11,20-trione, 6a-buty1- l7u-hydr0xy-21-iodo4rpregnene-3,11,20-trione, 6oisobutyl-17a-hydroxy- Signed and sealed this 21st day of July 1959.

Attest: KARL H. AXLINE, ROBERT C. WATSON,

Attestc'ng Ofiiaer. Oowwnissz'oner of Patents. 

1. A COMPOUND SELECTED FROM THE GROUP CONSISTING OF 6-METHYL-11B,17A-DIHYDROXY-4-PREGNENE-3,20-DIONE AND 6-METHYL-17A-HYDROXY-4-PREGNENE-3,11,20-TRIONE. 